Movers

Florida to Alabama Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a 567 mile interstate move from Florida to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane season vs fewer hurricanes), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (spanish revival, modern vs antebellum, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Key Lime Pie and Cuban Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Brisket & Fried Catfish
  • Alabama housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Florida
  • Rent in Alabama is 33.75% more affordable than in Florida
  • Moving from Florida to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Florida to Alabama movers is Sebastian Moving and More

Florida to Alabama Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to Alabama

ConsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Hurricane season
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy tourism traffic
  • Hot, humid summers
  • High insurance rates
ProsAlabama iconAlabama
  • Fewer hurricanes
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less crowded beaches
  • Milder summers
  • Lower insurance rates

Alabama iconAlabama
  • Limited coastal access
  • Quieter evening scene
  • Fewer dining options
  • Fewer tourist spots
  • Cooler winters
Florida iconFlorida
  • World-class beaches
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • International cuisine
  • Tons of attractions
  • Year-round warmth

Pros of moving from Florida to Alabama

  • Say goodbye to hurricane season and hello to fewer hurricanes
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Alabama with the lower cost of living
  • Swap the heavy tourism traffic of Florida for less crowded beaches in Alabama
  • Get ready for milder summers in Alabama

Cons of moving from Florida to Alabama

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the world-class beaches in Florida to live with limited coastal access in Alabama
  • You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant nightlife and have to settle for the con of a quieter evening scene
  • Time to bid farewell to international cuisine and get used to fewer dining options in Alabama
  • Swap tons of attractions for fewer tourist spots

Florida vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonFloridaAlabama
Most iconic local food itemKey Lime PieBBQ Brisket
Most popular meat dishCuban SandwichFried Catfish
Most popular street food itemArepaPulled Pork Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit TacosBlack-eyed Pea Hummus
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Versailles Restaurant
  • Bern's Steak House
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Florida to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Alabama. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Arepa, Alabama residents know they have tasty Fried Catfish and Pulled Pork Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-eyed Pea Hummus of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Florida eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Saw's Soul Kitchen, Highlands Bar and Grill, and The Bright Star.

When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Florida. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Florida. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alabama.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and Alabama

ComparisonFloridaAlabama
Typical Architecture StyleSpanish Revival, ModernAntebellum, Craftsman
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingWaterfront, Gated CommunityLarge Yards, Historic Features
  • The Spanish Revival and Modern architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
  • Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and gated communities, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and historic details.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than Florida.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than Florida.
  • Alabama has less of an urban feel than Florida.
  • Alabama housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Florida’s $397,137.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
  • Rent in Alabama is 33.75% more affordable than in Florida.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Florida and Alabama

ComparisonFloridaAlabama
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, Tropical StormsTornadoes, Hurricanes
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 75Β°F91Β°F / 72Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)70Β°F / 48Β°F57Β°F / 36Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)53"56"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0"2"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to Alabama. Alabama gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
  • Alabama has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Florida.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama.
  • The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 1 degree warmer than in Florida.
  • The average winter lows in Alabama are 12 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Florida.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and Alabama

ComparisonFloridaAlabama
Avg. Household Income$69,303$59,674
Cost of Living Index97.891.2
State Income Tax0%2%-5%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%0.39%
Avg. Sales Tax7.05%8.91%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Agriculture, AerospaceManufacturing, Retail, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 14% less than in Florida
  • The COLI in Alabama will be 7% lower than what you are used to living in Florida
  • Bummer... By moving from FL to AL, you'll now have a state income tax of 2%-5%
  • The affluence in Alabama is varied compared to moderate affluence in Florida
  • The poverty level is high in Alabama compared to moderate poverty in Florida
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Florida and low in Alabama

Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. Alabama

ComparisonFloridaAlabama
Political Make-upMixed; leans Republican in recent electionsStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsDiverse, urban areas lean DemocraticConsistently Republican, with some Democratic strongholds
ReligionMixed, with a large Catholic presence thanks to Hispanic communities.Primarily Protestant, particularly Baptist.
  • Florida tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
  • Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
  • Alabama's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant, particularly Baptist
  • Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a large Catholic presence thanks to Hispanic communities

Education Guide When Moving from Florida to Alabama

ComparisonFloridaAlabama
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Central Florida
University of Alabama
Auburn University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
Doral Academy Charter (Doral)
Archimedean Academy (Miami)
Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook)
Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills)
Cherokee Bend Elementary (Mountain Brook)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsJose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy (Hialeah)
Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami)
Doral Academy Charter Middle School (Doral)
Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook)
Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills)
Berry Middle School (Hoover)
Top 3 High SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
School for Advanced Studies (Miami)
Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami)
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery)
Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook)
Bob Jones High School (Madison)
Top 3 private high schoolsRansom Everglades School (Coconut Grove)
Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale)
The Bolles School (Jacksonville)
The Altamont School (Birmingham)
Indian Springs School (Indian Springs)
Randolph School (Huntsville)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsPine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale)
American Heritage School (Plantation)
Bolles School (Jacksonville)
Randolph School (Huntsville)
Indian Springs School (Indian Springs)
The Altamont School (Birmingham)
Top 3 School DistrictsSarasota County Schools
St. Johns County School District
Okaloosa County School District
Mountain Brook City Schools
Vestavia Hills City Schools
Hoover City Schools

How Much Do Florida to Alabama Movers Cost?

Moving 567 miles from Florida to Alabama will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,524300 ft3$5.08
1 Bedroom$2,263450 ft3$5.03
2 Bedrooms$3,735750 ft3$4.98
3 Bedrooms$5,4231100 ft3$4.93
4 Bedrooms$7,8081600 ft3$4.88
5+ Bedrooms$8,6941800 ft3$4.83

Top Florida to Alabama Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

Best moving company overall for Florida to Alabama

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Easy Florida Moving LLC featured image

Easy Florida Moving LLC

9.56/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Our Family Moving and Storage LLC featured image

Our Family Moving and Storage LLC

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details